Fisherfolk, Suriname and Maritime Safety

Sep 20, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The harassment of Guyanese fisherfolk in the Corentyne by Suriname’s authorities is blatant and Guyana’s strong response at the highest levels is justified. Suriname’s actions are profoundly contrary to the spirit of CARICOM.

Suriname has stipulated that Guyana’s fisherfolk must pay for a special maritime tracking device, with an annual fee, and furthermore park their boats in Suriname. The harassment and additional cost burden on Guyanese is based on false representation of maritime tracking technology. I offer the following facts to correct this:

Guyanese fishing boats can be fitted with tracking devices that constantly broadcast their locations to ALL authorities. The system is called Automatic Identification System (AIS) and is mandated for all ocean-going vessels by a United Nations Agreement (SOLAS Chapter V).
Nearly half-million ships are presently equipped with AIS transceivers purchased in their home countries and safely enter any other country’s seas and harbours, including Port Georgetown.
Such transceivers constantly broadcast a vessel’s location using a globally-agreed protocol and radio frequency. AIS allows authorities in say, Trinidad, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname to seamlessly and even simultaneously track a vessel as it transits the waters off of each of the countries.
So fishing boats do NOT need to buy a special Surinamese maritime tracking system because they fish in Surinamese waters, or pay recurring fees to do so.
Guyanese fishing boats could also be safely moored on the Guyana shore of the Corentyne River and any movement to/from fishing areas in Suriname territorial seas would be apparent to both Suriname’s and Guyana’s fisheries/ maritime authorities. Forcing artisanal fisherfolk living in Guyana to park their boats in Suriname adds great cost and trouble for hard working people, and undermines the food security of Guyana and all CARICOM.

The special Surinamese approach to monitoring Guyanese boats allows profiteering, corruption and outrageous harassment of Guyanese fisherfolk. Guyana should advocate for the use of the globally agreed approach to maritime monitoring and safety – AIS – and a level playing field.

Lastly, Guyana has had at least three instances of boats sinking and multiple losses of life at sea this year alone. Piracy has also claimed the lives of many fisherfolk. Having AIS onboard Guyanese vessels could provide constantly updated positions of boats simultaneously to vessel owners, fishermen’s associations, the Fisheries Dept., MARAD, and in an emergency, the Coast Guard.

Sincerely,
Digital Yacht Ltd. Representative